Under the COVID-19 epidemics, the Government has imposed social distancing measures. The business of catering outlets with seating areas (i.e. selling or supplying food and beverages for consumption on their premises) has been hard hit by the epidemics and the social distancing measures. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) launched the first round of Catering Business (Social Distancing) Subsidy Scheme in May this year to provide financial relief measures to the above catering sector. The FEHD subsequently enhanced in August the Scheme and accepted application from eligible licensed catering business which no subsidy was approved in the first round. The Government has established the Catering Business Subsidy Scheme to provide one-off subsidy to business including licensed restaurants, Karaoke Establishments, nightclubs and bars or pubs which are concurrently holding a food licence under the third round of the Anti-epidemic Fund.

The Catering Bsuiness Subsidy Scheme provides one-off subsidy ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 to eligible licence holders of general restaurants, light refreshment restaurants, marine restaurants and factory canteens in operation according to the floor area of the premises, primarily to provide further relief to licensed catering outlets with seating areas.  The Catering Business Subsidy Scheme will benefit about 17 000 catering outlets.

Moreover, each eligible catering outlet directed to close whole of its licensed premises pursuant to the directions issued under the Prevention and Control of Diseases (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), including karaoke establishments, nightclubs and bars or pubs, is eligible for a further one-off subsidy of $25,000.

The FEHD accepts applications for the scheme starting from 13 October 2020 at 9:00 a.m., the deadline for applications will be on 12 November 2020 at 5:00 p.m.  Late submission will not be entertained.

For application details of the schemes, please visit the FEHD website linked below.

Catering business
Karaoke Establishment Permits
Liquor Licence